A SHORT HISTORY

1936 – PRESENT DAY

The vibrant and pro-active Bangor Chamber of Commerce that we have today can trace its roots back seventy years to what was then Northern Ireland’s premier seaside resort.

In 1936 a group of Bangor business people, representing the local trading community, came together to form the Bangor Chamber of Trade. This was followed in 1937 by the Bangor Tourist Development Organisation, set up by those in the North Down tourist industry (hoteliers, guest house owners, restaurant owners, publicans, etc). Both organisations were actively involved in lobbying for improvements in tourism. As early as 1938 they were involved in local trade exhibitions.

For the next 25 years, the two organisations worked independently of each other. However, it was recognised that Bangor and North Down could be better served and promoted by a single trade body and the Bangor Chamber of Trade & Tourism was established in 1963. By 1969 this had evolved into the Bangor Chamber of Trade and Tourist Development Association. With over 300 members, Bangor Chamber was the largest in the Province. In the early 1970s a separate Guest House Association was set up, specifically to promote their interests.

Throughout the years of the Troubles, the Chamber was actively involved in helping get Bangor back on its feet following a series of terrorist bombs. By 1993 the BCT & TDA became affiliated with the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and the name was changed to Bangor Chamber of Commerce. To put the Chamber on a more professional standing, the Chamber became a limited company in 1998 with an elected Chairman and Board of Directors.

The Chamber’s dynamism over the years, has resulted in a number of notable achievements for the Town and Borough, some of which are outlined below:-

For many years the Chamber funded the town’s Christmas Lights and organised various trade promotions in the run-up to the festive season.

The Chamber successfully lobbied North Down Borough Council to allow Bangor to become the first town in the Province to ban Drinking in a Public Place in 1992.

In conjunction with the Borough Council, the Chamber organised an international festival between Bangor and its twin town of Bregenz in Austria. Later that same year it supported the inaugural Bangor Choral Festival.

The Chamber successfully petitioned the DOE Roads Service to include Upper High Street in their Roads Revamp Scheme.

After two terrorist bomb attacks in the town in 1992 and 1993 the Chamber provided help and support to its members and other traders alike and put the case for £30,000 of Grant Aid to North Down Borough Council.

The Chamber was actively involved in the D-Day 50th anniversary commemorations in 1994.

The Ulster Automobile Club was persuaded by the Chamber to hold the start and finish of the Circuit of Ireland Rally in Bangor for three successive years, from 1994 to 1996.

The Chamber also campaigned vigorously for a retail development on the old gasworks site in the town, which now is known as the Flagship Centre.

In 1997 the Chamber and the former Holywood Chamber of Trade successfully attracted EU Peace and Reconciliation funding for the appointment of a Town Centre Manager for both towns.

The Chamber was instrumental in organising the first Bangor traditional Sail Weekend in 1998 and which continues to this day.

The Bangor Business Awards, the responsibility of the Chamber, has grown into one of the Province’s most successful and glittering award evenings

Bangor Chamber of Commerce has supported efforts to install a CCTV system in the town and is represented on the Board of North Down Safer Streets Ltd.

Since 1997 Bangor Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with the Town Centre Manager. Both parties have joined forces to lobby local agencies and government bodies on a wide range of issues, including traffic flow and car parking improvements and encouraging inward investment.

Bangor Chamber of Trade and latterly the Chamber of Commerce, has benefited from the hard work and dedication of local business people as serving Presidents, Chairpersons and Committee Members.

Current President

Mr Evan Ward

Past Presidents

Mr Jim Good, Mrs Norman, Mrs Anne O’Hara, Mr Ernie Fletcher, Mr Roger Brewster, Mr Gerald Hudson, Mr Gerry Fox, Mrs E Worthington, Mr Jack Miller, Mr Pat Milliken, Mr Michael Dunlop, Mr Norman McNaught, Mrs Ann Thompson and Mr Peter Reynolds

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			A SHORT HISTORY 1936 – PRESENT DAY The vibrant and pro-active Bangor Chamber of Commerce that we have today can trace its roots back seventy years to what was then Northern Ireland’s premier seaside resort. In 1936 a group of Bangor business people, representing the local trading community, came together to form the Bangor Chamber of Trade. This was followed in 1937 by the Bangor Tourist Development Organisation, set up by those in the North Down tourist industry (hoteliers, guest house owners, restaurant owners, publicans, etc). Both organisations were actively involved in lobbying for improvements in tourism. As early as 1938 they were involved in local trade exhibitions. For the next 25 years, the two organisations worked independently of each other. However, it was recognised that Bangor and North Down could be better served and promoted by a single trade body and the Bangor Chamber of Trade & Tourism was established in 1963. By 1969 this had evolved into the Bangor Chamber of Trade and Tourist Development Association. With over 300 members, Bangor Chamber was the largest in the Province. In the early 1970s a separate Guest House Association was set up, specifically to promote their interests. Throughout the years of the Troubles, the Chamber was actively involved in helping get Bangor back on its feet following a series of terrorist bombs. By 1993 the BCT & TDA became affiliated with the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and the name was changed to Bangor Chamber of Commerce. To put the Chamber on a more professional standing, the Chamber became a limited company in 1998 with an elected Chairman and Board of Directors. The Chamber’s dynamism over the years, has resulted in a number of notable achievements for the Town and Borough, some of which are outlined below:- For many years the Chamber funded the town’s Christmas Lights and organised various trade promotions in the run-up to the festive season. The Chamber successfully lobbied North Down Borough Council to allow Bangor to become the first town in the Province to ban Drinking in a Public Place in 1992. In conjunction with the Borough Council, the Chamber organised an international festival between Bangor and its twin town of Bregenz in Austria. Later that same year it supported the inaugural Bangor Choral Festival. The Chamber successfully petitioned the DOE Roads Service to include Upper High Street in their Roads Revamp Scheme. After two terrorist bomb attacks in the town in 1992 and 1993 the Chamber provided help and support to its members and other traders alike and put the case for £30,000 of Grant Aid to North Down Borough Council. The Chamber was actively involved in the D-Day 50th anniversary commemorations in 1994. The Ulster Automobile Club was persuaded by the Chamber to hold the start and finish of the Circuit of Ireland Rally in Bangor for three successive years, from 1994 to 1996. The Chamber also campaigned vigorously for a retail development on the old gasworks site in the town, which now is known as the Flagship Centre. In 1997 the Chamber and the former Holywood Chamber of Trade successfully attracted EU Peace and Reconciliation funding for the appointment of a Town Centre Manager for both towns. The Chamber was instrumental in organising the first Bangor traditional Sail Weekend in 1998 and which continues to this day. The Bangor Business Awards, the responsibility of the Chamber, has grown into one of the Province’s most successful and glittering award evenings Bangor Chamber of Commerce has supported efforts to install a CCTV system in the town and is represented on the Board of North Down Safer Streets Ltd. Since 1997 Bangor Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with the Town Centre Manager. Both parties have joined forces to lobby local agencies and government bodies on a wide range of issues, including traffic flow and car parking improvements and encouraging inward investment. Bangor Chamber of Trade and latterly the Chamber of Commerce, has benefited from the hard work and dedication of local business people as serving Presidents, Chairpersons and Committee Members. Current President Mr Evan Ward Past Presidents Mr Jim Good, Mrs Norman, Mrs Anne O’Hara, Mr Ernie Fletcher, Mr Roger Brewster, Mr Gerald Hudson, Mr Gerry Fox, Mrs E Worthington, Mr Jack Miller, Mr Pat Milliken, Mr Michael Dunlop, Mr Norman McNaught, Mrs Ann Thompson and Mr Peter Reynolds ^Top

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